Preview: Blue Jackets vs. Penguins (Game 68)
March 12, 2009Indians Leave Florida, but Wahoo Still Remains
March 12, 2009Almost three weeks ago, Rick penned a piece titled “Up for Grabs” that discussed the then near future of the Cavaliers and Celtics. Two teams that were not only combating injuries, but considerably difficult schedules as they long to achieve the very coveted No. 1 seed in the Eastern conference playoffs.
After the Cavaliers lost to the Celtics last Friday, there were a lot of dejected fans. They were down their best player, and simply abused the wine and gold in the paint and made very few errors for the entire 48 minutes.
Then the following transgression took place:
– Cleveland beats Miami
– Orlando beats Boston
– Detroit beats Orlando
– Cleveland beats LA Clippers
– Miami beats Boston
So not only was that bounce-back win over Miami very big after the loss to Boston, but the come-from-behind, never-should-have-won game against the Clippers could not have come at a batter time.
With 19 games to go until the end of the regular season, the current standings are as follows:
Eastern Conference | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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I chose to include Chicago-through-New York as any of those teams realistically have a shot at the eighth seed. The race for the fourth spot between Atlanta and Miami continues to raise eyebrows, mostly thanks to the recent play by the Heat’s Dwyane Wade.
The Magic come to Cleveland on St. Patrick’s day, slated to undoubtedly be one of the bigger games of the final stretch. This contest will be sandwiched around a brief road trip starting tonight at Phoenix (34-30) and then Sacramento (14-50); and home games against the Knicks (27-37) and Portland (40-24).
Boston suits up against the Heat once again next Wednesday, followed by a big game against the San Antonio Spurs on Friday. The Magic play the incredibly hot Utah Jazz before heading to Cleveland, and head to Milwaukee on the very next night.
It goes without saying that all three of these teams could realistically win 60 games this season. Boston was the only team to achieve that mark last season, and the Pistons were the highest-winning team in 2007 with 53 wins. Going back through history, the last time any division had three 60-win teams was 1998 when the Jazz (62), Lakers (61), and Supersonics (61) all ecclipsed the mark. That year, the Bulls were the only team in the East to top 60 by going 62-20 thanks to 29 points per game from Michael Jordan.
It’s an amazing time to be a fan of this team.
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(photo via Associated Press)
9 Comments
Little OT topic but has anyone given any thought to a Cavs / Knicks 1st round playoff series? A 3 ring circus is the first thought that pops into my head.
At this point it’s the loss column that weighs more important than GB, if only because it’s more likely any of the top 3 would go 2-0 than 1-1 in a typical 2 game stretch.
That the Cavs have a 3-loss lead on Boston and 4-loss on Orlando is huge.
I’m actually wondering which opponent I’d rather the Cavs face in Round One if they’re the #1 seed. I think that NY or NJ would be best, as they are both teams that pose no threat, will not expose any holes, and both would provide enough media hype (especially NY) to get LeBron and Co. pumped and focused to finish it off fast. This would be especially important as the winner of Atl-Mia will be extremely tough, and it’s easy to spend half the day watching Boston and Orlando duking it out. They’ll need to be focused by Round One to avoid getting into any traps in Round Two.
One team I would NOT want to face is Chicago, as their depth is enough to tire the Cavs and possibly poke holes somewhere.
What about the MVP debate that would take place for a Heat 2nd round match-up?
i’d love a first round matchup with the bulls.
just to get back at them a little.
anyone else praying for an orlando v. detroit matchup?
i found myself cheering on the pistons three times this season (v. the magic), who have a very legitimate chance to take out Superman & co. (who I still fear…a little)
then again, do we want boston v. orlando, or boston v. detroit — in that second round?
I’ve always wondered if they actually vote before the playoffs or just claim they did.
I personally don’t see how that sequence of events is any sort of a transgression, considering the Conference race with win totals and all! I would say it has worked out pretty well for our team! 🙂
GO CAVS!
great word choice on my part
Ezzie: See Nowitzki, Dirk 06-07
I would love to see Detroit vs. Orlando. Only beause Orlando always blows it in the playoffs.